There is a wrought-iron gate that stands between the Canaday freshman dorms and the Science Center plaza. It is unassuming, without the pomp and myth of Johnston Gate or the humor of the Porcellian Club Gate. The gate—known as the Woman’s Entrance—is dedicated to the women attending Harvard in 1972, the first women to occupy Harvard Yard with men.
I first learned this story at the “When Women Lead” Panel, in which one of the speakers was a freshman here at Harvard during 1972. The speakers included Karen Mills, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (2009-2013); Jill Abramson, Executive Editor of the New York Times (and a member of the first class of integrated-gender dorms); Edith Cooper, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Human Capital Management for Goldman Sachs; and Janet Napolitano, President of the University of California. The panel was at times humorous, with anecdotes of “naked” nightmares and animosity towards Stanford, but was also sobering and inspiring.
Ms. Abramson spoke about her experiences in journalism and emphasized the importance of “[having] a sense of your center,” in order to lead.
Ms. Cooper advised to give oneself a “personal challenge of being uncomfortable,” saying that being uncomfortable is to pursue leadership.
Ms. Napolitano lamented the lack of women in elected office and stated that it was important for women to “take an exceptional risk” and to be secure in oneself so that “you still have yourself to fall back on.”
It was incredibly empowering panel that reminded me and, I’m sure, the entire audience that to be a woman in power is possible. Even more important than what these woman leaders said was their presence and their confidence in speaking about their experiences. Having role models and examples of powerful people that you can empathize with is an incredible source of inspiration.
While I do disapprove of the types of “feminism” that abandon equality and try to claim that women are better in some way than men, I did leave Sander’s Theatre feeling more confident in and more proud of my gender’s ability to succeed. I know that every time I pass through the Woman’s Entrance, I will now pause just a moment to not only remember this panel and its lessons, but also to thank all the women and men that have come before me and begun the march for gender equality. I know that my fellow collegiettes and I are ready to fall in step in front of these brave individuals, to carry on their legacy, and I know that we will be victorious.